Graduate Faculty at MCA fulfill a critical role in providing constructive criticism for MFA students in the form of conceptual, aesthetic and technical council. These dialogues occur at a series of levels including regular meetings throughout the semester with the individual candidate, formal Mid-term critiques with all the Graduate Faculty and the candidate, and Final Critiques with the Graduate Faculty and all Graduate students in attendance.

To assist with their visual and conceptual development, the graduate students work closely and intensively with a group of 3-4 graduate advisors. These advisors are members of the Memphis College of Art faculty and local independent artists. The advisors are an intentionally diverse group, both in terms of media and intentions for making work. The range of perspectives and commentary will give the graduate students the broadest possible range of information and feedback. Instruction blends rigorous group critiques with personal and informal interaction between faculty and students. The diversity and frequency of critical discussion strengthens each student’s personal vision and development of articulate responses. The graduate advisors rotate in and out of the program every year to give an even more diverse commentary to the graduate students.

For questions about the MFA program or its faculty, contact Haley Morris-Cafiero, director of our MFA program.